Training contract numbers for 2014 released: SRA apologises for previous confusion

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has apologised for creating "confusion" over the number of training contracts there were in 2014.

The confusion began when the SRA responded to a Freedom of Information Act request by a recruitment company; the company then incorrectly stated that the number of training contracts had increased by 65% in 2014. The SRA had stated that 5,541 training contracts had been registered in 2014 and 3,415 periods of recognised training were entered into – the recruitment company misunderstood that the number of training contracts included the periods of recognised training and that 5,541 is the total number of trainees to commence their training in 2014.

This means that in reality, the number of training contracts remained steady in 2014, with the number increasing slightly by two (0.04%) since 2013. Richard Collins, the SRA’s executive director, said: "We are sorry for any confusion this has caused. We have spoken directly to the training company about this to explain, apologise and correct the position. We are also taking this step to correct the position publicly and we hope this clarifies the matter."